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Herschel Dean Yates

Herschel Dean Yates of Benton passed away on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014.
He was born Aug. 13, 1930, in Carterville, Mo., to the late Cecil and Edith Yates.
He was named for Dizzy Dean, the Cardinal baseball player. He played semi-pro baseball for a short time. He retired from the Arkansas State Police as a sergeant after 25 years of service. While working in Hot Springs, he gave future Governor and President Bill Clinton his driver's test when he was 16. He was later head of security at the Governor's Mansion and the state Capitol complex while Mr. Clinton was governor.
He was a member of Parkview United Methodist Church in Benton. Herschel was a Master Mason for 60 years at Aurora Lodge in Portsmouth, Ohio, and a 32rd-degree Mason at Albert Pike Lodge in Little Rock. He had a great sense of humor and loved making up his own songs to sing to his grandchildren.
Herschel leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of over 59 years, Delores; his children, Richard (Brandy) of Redfield and Cindy (Mike White) Yates of North Little Rock; his sister Annamae (Robert) Cochran of Pickens, S.C.; his brother, William (Clarisse) Yates and his sister Letitia Jo Mott, both of Perth, Ontario, Canada; and his brother, Floyd (Linda) Yates of Corpus Christi, Texas; his grandchildren, R. Aaron (Stephanie) Yates of Bryant, Melissa (Joseph) Madrigal and Michael Williams, both of San Angelo, Texas, Mason Stewart of Arkadelphia, and Tyler Stewart of Jonesboro; his great-grandchildren, Melody and Harmony Madrigal; and extended family and friends, who will miss him dearly.
Funeral service was scheduled for 10 a.m. today, Feb. 19, at Griffin Leggett Forest Hills Funeral Home, 10200 Highway 5 North in Alexander with Father Darrell Stayton and the Rev. Walt Garrett officiating. Entombment was to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park with the Arkansas State Police Honor Guard serving as pallbearers.
Visitation was held Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Parkview United Methodist Church, 514 N Border St., Benton, AR 72015.
Online guestbook: www.griffinleggettforesthills.com